Assails Smidovitch for Exempting Jews from Collectivization on Yom Kippur

October 21, 1929

Moscow (Oct. 19)

Strong words of criticism against Peter Smidovitch, vice-president of the Soviet Union, for his order exempting Jewish colonists from participating in Collectivization Day which was celebrated on October 14, coinciding with Yom Kippur, were voiced by S. Diamanstein, leader in the Yevsektzia, Jewish section of the Communist party, writing in today’s issue of the “Emes,” Communist Yiddish daily.

Mr. Diamanstein terms this action “opportunistic and a Right Wing step” and voices indignation that Smidovitch issued the order without consulting the Yevsektzia.

It is learned that Smidovitch did not notify the “Emes” of his order, transmitting it only through the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and to the Agrojoint, the agency in Russia of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Not until the Jewish press of Warsaw, carrying the Jewish Telegraphic Agency despatch, reached Moscow, did the Yevsektzia learn of the order.

Diamanstein declares in his article in the “Emes”: “Smidovitch’s act is intolerable. We must strengthen our anti-religious campaign. Then such Right Wing, opportunistic orders will be impossible, no matter who is inclined to issue them.